Lusuri is a bold non-aromatic rice that has traditionally been cultivated in the drought prone regions of Western Odisha and Chattisgarh. The straw-colored husk reveals a deep reddish-brown bran, which, when polished, uncovers a light red grain—an intriguing transition of colors that leave a distinct imprint on the mind of a keen observer. This relatively short duration rice is ideally suited for the ‘Guda’ (upland or gently sloping) farmland and thrives even with less rainfall.
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Description
THE CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL LIFE OF THIS RICE
Lusuri is an indigenous red variety grown in villages that border the Sal forests of Sundargarh in Odisha. However, it is also grown in the bordering areas of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. It is preferred for its good taste and is considered to be quite nutritious.
Traditionally it has been cultivated mostly by the tribal population in regions of water scarcity. Sundargarh, for example, always has an erratic monsoon pattern. Farmers have always planted this hardy rice along with other varieties as an insurance against a deficit monsoon.
Unfortunately, the introduction of irrigation (due to new dams being built) has adversely affected the area under cultivation for such drought-tolerant rice varieties. Availability of irrigation water translates into an opportunity to grow the water-intensive hybrids. And the unwillingness of the government to buy red rice at its procurement centres has further aggravated the issue, almost pushing this rice to extinction.
However, the efforts of a few farmers and the women run SHGs of Karlaghati (Sundargarh) have helped in its revival. The women employ traditional methods like using the ‘Dhenki’ to process this rice which helps in partially retaining its red bran. The growing diabetic population in nearby cities like Bhubaneswar and Rourkela has created a consistent market for this rice, empowering these women and supporting the rice’s resurgence.
Lusuri has a growing period of about 90-120 days depending on the land and weather conditions.
Other names for this rice: Lusari, Lucuri, Lusri (sounds vary due to differences in dialects)
NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
- This is usually parboiled and hand-pounded in a traditional ‘Dhenki’ by the tribal women. Fiber rich and filling, it offers a feeling of fullness for a long period. Hence it is preferred by diabetics.
- It is considered beneficial for those with anaemia but there no studies substantiating it.
- Published research has shown that Lusuri has a higher seed storage protein as compared to other indigenous varieties grown in the same region, thus making it a nutritionally superior variety of choice. (Panda et al, 2018)
CULINARY USES
- The bran is a striking deep red while the rice itself is light red in color.
- It is considered superior to other locally available red rice varieties in terms of taste.
- It is consumed as a table rice and the farmers (who grow this rice) mention it as their chosen variety for everyday meals.
- The rice is pleasant to taste and tastes good even after 2 days (soaked in water as in Pakhala).
WHO GROWS THIS RICE & WHERE CAN I BUY?
- Rice is available in the tribal markets after the harvest and in the annual fairs like Adivasi Mela organised by Odisha government.
- Other Possible Sources
SOURCES & FURTHER READING
- Yadav, Anumeha. “Grains of Life: How Chotanagpur’s Adivasis Are Reviving Native Varieties of Rice” The Wire, March 3, 2024
- Panda, Amrita Kumari, Rojita Mishra, Ashish Kumar, Aseem Kerketta, Nishi Soni. “Seed storage protein evaluation of few rice varieties used by tribal people of Chhattisgarh.” Journal of Rice Research 2018, Vol 11, No. 2, pp. 31-35.
Additional information
| Region of Origin | East |
|---|---|
| Grain Shape | short bold |
| Grain Colour | Red |
| Fragrance | Nonscented |
